Today we’d like to introduce you to Jersey Garcia, LMFT.
Hi Jersey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am originally from New York City, born and raised in Washington Heights (Have you seen the movie in the Heights? That I where I am from 🙂 I moved to Miami 20 years ago to start a new job, I was recently married, had just graduated with my Master’s in Public Health and was excited to call south Florida my new home. I worked for at least ten years in the area of public health around reproductive health and justice, including work in HIV prevention and care. Ten years after arriving to Miami as a newlywed, I saw myself going through a divorce and learning how to live as a single mom of two young children. A year after the divorce I went back to school to obtain my second Master’s Degree, this time in Marriage and Family Therapy and the rest is history. I now serve as Online Couple’s Therapist through Caring Therapist of Broward and Palm Beach and I’m also a Relationship Coach to Divorced Women who are seeking lasting love again.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest challenges have often come from navigating and juggling work and home as a single mother. In the early days as a student and then in my career as a psychotherapist, I found myself frequently challenged my circumstances as a single mother, no real emergency contacts for the kids other than me; no available childcare; inability to cook a healthy meal most nights; driving from south Miami to Pembroke Pines in a frenzy to make sure I pick them up on time at aftercare; and many more other situations. I sometimes feel guilty about the things that my kiddos have gone without due to living with a single mom. I am limited at times on what experiences I can provide for them, but I am comforted by the thought that because I do the work I do, I can be present for them when they need me the most.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a bilingual (Spanish and English languages) Psychotherapist to Couples in Distress and a Relationship Coach to Divorced Women who date. I support a couple in transforming their negative communication patterns that have them stuck in a cycle of frustration and resentment, moving them to a place where they expressed feeling heard, understood and seen by their partner. I also support couples that are processing infidelity or betrayal to rebuild trust.
As a Relationship Coach, I guide single divorced women who may feel apathetic from bearing the burden of failed relationships and heartbreak to feel lit up and delighted in their search for a lasting romantic relationship through my online programs and podcast called Divorced Girls Date.
I am most proud of my ability to have clients leave my sessions feeling seen, affirmed and open to their transformation.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Since I was a little girl, I just wanted everyone to get along. I associated “getting along” with peace. Peace and freedom are my two highest values, and they help me center in my purpose to create that for my clients. Based on my values, I have a deep desire that with my work, I am supporting people to relate to each other and themselves from a place of awareness of their own and shared humanity while being able to access their full ability to live a life with more confidence and harmony.
Contact Info:
- Website: lajerseygarcia.com
- Instagram: @la.jersey.garcia
